While I know this is slightly off topic, I hope David and the other moderators will humor me. I want to say thank you to everyone. Today I graduated with my BA in Political Science from Cal State University, Long Beach and am still a little shocked that I accomplished this.
Years ago, I was waiting tables, and my life was going no where, but I had always had an interest in politics. In 2005, before the midterm election, I got curious as to how the Federal Marriage Amendment might go, and got all nerdy into votes and members of the Senate, and all that good stuff that we all love. Looking for information, I stumbled upon Swing State Project, and found more information about Congressional races than I ever could have dreamed of before. Before SSP, I knew my home state Senators, now I’m pretty sure I know all one hundred (although I am not sure if that is a good thing or not!).
It was this site that awoke my love of politics, the political process, and law and drove me to go back to school and it is thanks to all of you, in good part, that I am where I am today.
All that being said, I want to thank David, James and Crisitunity for all the insights over the years, and heres to many more. As for my fellow commentators, thank you for the lively and entertaining debates and discussions. Even when I don’t agree with you at all, I appreciate your insights. Here is to another three years of law school!
I hope to write a similar “thank you” diary in 2012, when I expect to graduate. FSM knows I’ve learned most of what I now understand about elections from this place, political dynamics and the media from DailyKos and news outlets, the law from Law & Order, and Congress from Wikipedia. I’ll have to write a big “thank you” someday to all those institutions.
I know everyone always asks that, but I’m genuinely curious. My Poli Sci interests range from elections to government (esp. the legislative process), law, the Constitution, and policymaking.
I’m seriously, seriously humbled – and extremely delighted for you! Congratulations on graduation! Needless to say, I wish you the very best of luck with your post-graduation endeavors, and I hope you’ll stay a member of this site for years to come.
Thanks for sharing your story and best of luck in law school and beyond. Of course, I expect you to continue commenting here!
Good luck in law school if that’s where you decide to go.
Thanks so much for sharing! Congratulations on graduating and good luck in your future endeavors!
on your graduation and good luck in law school. Although, as a poli sci grad student, I always feel I failed somehow when my students say they are going to law school
I decided to be stupid and ignore the advice of one of my poly sci professors/local democratic sugar daddy and go get a Masters of Public Administration instead (classes start this fall). I too may have some interesting news to report involving a political job in a few days.
Congrats on moving up and beyond!
I think I know all senators as well, which might even be nerdier (more nerdy ??), as I am a German, living all the way over the Atlantic…
Haha, somehow I’m recalling the final scene in Neon Genesis Evangelion, with all the applause and congratulations.
Oh well, hopefully, your last year in college wasn’t as psychologically strange an experience as mine was…
Very heartening to hear how one little website out in cyberspace managed to change your life for the better.
all one hundred, the year they were elected, and most of the time, how many close races they’ve had, against who, and who preceded them lol.
And while I appreciate your thanks, I’d also say thank you, because this place is nada without the community of commenters. It’s a (usually) harmonious village of electoral nerds, and I’m always learning things from the comments.
Let me give you my usual advice regarding law school, though; make sure you do (or have done) some work in law, around lawyers (like as a paralegal, or even just volunteering for a legal aid group if they’ll let you do something meaningful) before you actually commit to wanting to go to law school. Lots of people go because they’re smart enough to go and, well, who would turn down the chance to go to law school?… and leave three years later with little enthusiasm about actually having to go out and become a lawyer. (Ever wonder why lawyers are so well paid? It’s because they have to spend all day putting up with other lawyers.)
I know all 100 Senators now too, and a whole host of Congressmen. And yeah, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. 🙂
and the one poli sci prof who I reference, well I just rave to her about this site. I know entirely too much about stuff normal people dont care about and just go on and on in class and reference everything I learn here. Like I dont want to sound conceited but I sound above and beyond everyone in my class, but all it takes is devoting like an hour a day to this site and in a month, anyone can know a ton about every state politically, you just gotta really enjoy it.
No other blog provides it like SSP.